Lincoln-Douglas debates of 1858 Essay | Essay

The Lincoln-Douglas Debates

Summary: A series of seven debates took place in 1858 between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas, candidates for the U.S. Senate seat in Illinois. Known as the Lincoln-Douglas Debates, they displayed the intellect and impacted the political careers of both men. Douglas won the Senate election but no longer held as powerful a legislative role; while the debates made Lincoln's reputation as a national political figure, enabling him to run for and win the presidency in 1860.

The Lincoln-Douglas Debates

Two Senators, Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas, were elected to fight against each other in a series of seven debates, taking place around the state of Illinois. Douglas, born in 1813, was a lawyer and a statesman. He was short, aggressive, and massive. Douglas often, during the debates, would "roar out his sentences like a confident lion." (Harry-Williams, 76) Hence, he was nicknamed, the "Little Giant." Meanwhile, Lincoln was the exact opposite. He was awkward, towering Douglas with a height of 6'4", and spoke in a high, piping voice. His reputation was known because of his complete honesty and abstract way of thinking. Also, he wasn't very good at Illinois politics.

The debating began when Lincoln took the stage June 16th, at the Republican State Convention in Springfield. These seven, historical debates between Lincoln and Douglas took place between August 21st and October 15th. Held outdoors, the...